Bicycle.



No. 676,003. Patented lune Il, |90I.

L. S. KALLAJIAN.

BICYCLE.

(Application led Dec. 22, 1900,) (llo Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

wz arma/fuzz@ 'van No. 676,003. Patented lune Il, |90I.

L. S. KALLAJIAN.

BICYCLE.

(Application led Dec. 22, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

lim l @mi l@ LAZARUS S. KALLAJIAN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 676,003, dated June 11,1901.

Application filed December 22, 1900. Serial No. 40.713. (No model.)

To {LZ 1071/0711, It may concern:

Beit known that I, LAZARUs S. KALLAJIAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, countyofSuifolk, State of Massachusetts, haveinvented an Improvement in Bicycles, of which the following description,in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, likeletters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to bicycles, and has for one object to provide anovel form of bicycle-frame which may be readily converted from agentlemans bicycle into a ladys bicy cle by removing the front fork andwheel and :reversing the same in the front head of the frame, theposition ofthe crank-hanger being capable of being changed from one rearfork to the other rear fork, whereby when the frame is one side up it isa gentlemans frame and when the other side is up it is the proper shapefor a ladys frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of rear forkwhich is more resilient than forks commonly used, thus making thebicycle-frame more resilient and thus easier for the rider.

n the drawings, Figure l represents the bicycle With the frame in theproper position for use as agentlemans bicycle. Fig. 2 shows theposition of the frame when used as a ladys bicycle. Figs. 3 and 4 aredetails of the detachable crank-hanger, Fig. 4 being a section on theline o: an, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 isa partial section of the front head withthe front fork therein. Fig. 6 is a similar view ot` the rear head.

The bicycle-frame comprises the front head 3, the central post 4,whichisconnected to the front head by the top rail 5, and the two rear forks 26and 7, the said rear forks being connected to the post 4 at oppositeends thereof and with the said post 4 forming the triangular frame, inwhich the rear wheel 8 is supported in the usual way.

As illustrated, the top rail 5 is duplicated in the brace (i, which runsparallel thereto and connects the post 4 with the head 3, thisduplication of parts rendering the frame stronger, as will be readilyunderstood.

The front fork 9 is of the usual construction,it carryingthe front wheel10 in the usual way.

The front head 3 of the frame is in the nature of a reversible head, andby reversible I mean reversible with reference to the front fork 9, theconstruction being such that by removing the handle-bars 11 the frontfork 9 may be removed from the front head 3 and inserted therein fromthe top in Fig. 1, this construction enabling me to convert the frame ofthe bicycle from a gentlemans frameinto a ladys frame, as will bepresently described.

The front head 3 is of the usual construction in all particulars, exceptthe top bearing 12, which is made of the vsame size as the lower bearing13, 'this construction being necessary in order to reverse the fork 9with ref erence to the head.

Fig. 5 shows a partial section through the front head, in which the fork9 has the stem 14, carrying the cone 15 at the base of said stem, asusual in bicycles, the upper end of the said stem receiving thehandle-bar post 16, which is clamped theretoin any approved Way.

The construction ofthe upper bearing 12 of the head 3 is of the usualtype, except as to its size, as stated above, it having the cone 17,which screws onto the upper end of the stem 14 of the front fork, saidcone bearing on the usual antifrietion-balls.

If desired, both bearings 13 and 14 may have the usual felt washerstherein to make the said bearings dust-proof.

One form of detachable crank-hanger is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4,and it may either be clamped to the frame in the position shown in Fig.1, in which ease the frame is adapted for use as a gentlemans bicycle,orit may be clamped to the rear head 19 in the position shown in dottedlines in Fig. 2, this being the position of the crank-hanger when thebicycle is converted into a ladys bicycle. Referring now to Figs. 3 and4, the said crank-hanger comprises the bearingblock 20, which may be ofany suitable shape, it being shown as cylindrical, the saidbearing-block being bored longitudinally thereof to receive the crankshaft 21 and having its ends counterbored, as at 22, to receive the cups23 for the antifriction-balls, which cups may be secured to thebearing-block in any approved Way. The crank-shaft 21 will of coursehave the usual cones 24, secured IOO thereto in some suitable way, whichcones bear upon the antifrietion-balls 25,and preferably the usual feltwasher 26 and retainingring 27 will be employed, thus rendering thebearings dust-proof.

In order to render the bearing-block as light as possible and yet makethe same of sufficient strength, I preferably make the longitudinal bore28, which receives the crankshaft 2l, eccentric to the cylindricalbearingbloek 20, as best seen in Fig. 4, while the eounterbores 22,which receive cups 23,-are concentric with the bearing-block, wherebythe crank-shaft is properly centered when in place.

The crank -hanger or bearingblock is clamped to the frame by means ofthe clamping-block 29, which is secured to the bearingblock 2O by somesuitable means, such as the bolts 30. The said bearing-block has atransverse half-round recess 3l in its lower side, the eccentricposition of the bore 28 furnishing sufficient thickness on one side ofthe block for this recess, and the clamping-block 29 has a correspondinghalf-round recess at 32, the two recesses forming a seat of the properproportions to t the frame.

As will be readily understood, by turning up the bolts 30 thecrank-hanger can be readily clamped to the frame in either one of itstwo positions and can be as readily removed therefrom by unscrewing thebolts 30.

It is sometimes desirable to vary the position of the crank-hanger byraising or lowering the same in order that the same frame may be used byriders of different sizes, and my detachable crank-hanger enables me toaccomplish this. If desired, the said crankhanger may be clamped to thelower end of the central post 4 instead of to the lower rear fork 7, inwhich case the sprocket wheel would be brought nearer the seat-post,thus adapting the frame for the use of a boy. I may also place thecrank-hanger on the lower rear fork 7, but in such a position that thecylindrical block 2O will be on the under side of the fork, thisconstruction bringing the crank-shaft below said fork, which would bethe position of the parts when it is desired to drop the crank-shaft aslow as possible.

From the above description it will be seen that the crank-hanger issimple, strong, and of minimum weight, and can be readily attached to ordetached from the frame and applied to the frame in a variety ofpositions.

As shown in Figs. l and G, my improved bicycle-frame has a front andrear head, the rear head being designated by 1f) and being of aconstruction similar to that of the front head. The front and rear headshave the same inclination to a vertical line, so that when used as agentlemans bicycle the front and rear forks 9 and 26 have the same angleof inclination to the vertical. (See Fig. 1.)

In order to render the frame more resilient when in use, I preferablymake the rear fork 26 curved at its lower end, as shown at 35,

this curve being preferably of the same shape as the curve in the frontfork 9, whereby both ends of the frame are similar in appearance.

As seen in Fig. G, the rear fork 26 is a separate part from the head l0,the said fork having the hollow stem 37, on which are the cones 3S and3S), the said cones resting on antifriction-balls in the usual way, andthe cone 30 being adjustably mounted upon the stem 37 to compensate forwear. Preferably the usual dust-washers will be used in these bearings.It will be understood, of course, that the rear fork 26 is held fromturning in the rear head because the lower end thereof is clamped to theaxle of the rear wheel, which is of course firmly held in the ends ofthe rigid fork 7, as usual in bicycles.

The hollow stem 37 of the rear fork affords means for supporting theseat-post 40 when the frame is used as a gentlemans frame, the seat-postbeing clamped in place in any usual way. The advantage of this manner ofsecuring the seat in the frame is that as the seat is elevated it iscarried forward or farther over the pedals, while in the ordinaryconstruction, where the seat is placed in the end of the post 4, theelevation of the seat carries the seat back from the pedals.

As illustrated, the lower end of the post 4 of the frame is open for thereception of the seat-post 40 when the frame is converted into a ladysframe, and any usual means may be employed to clamp the said seat-postin this position, though I may, if desired, leave the end of the head GOof the rear fork 7 open for the reception of the said seat-post, inwhich case it would have the same forward inclination as is shown inFig. l.

As illustrated, the seat-post may have the oppositely-extending arms 4l42, to which the seat is attached in usual way, one of the arms beingused when the seat is applied to the ladys frame and the other arm beingused when the seat is placed in the head 19, as is the ease when theframe is used as a gentlemans frame. (See Figs. l and 2.)

Vhen it is desired to change the frame of the bicycle from a gentlemansframe to a ladys frame, the handle-bars Il are removed, when the frontfork 9 can be taken out, as readily understood by those familiar withbicycles. The seat-post 40 is then removed from the head 19 and thecrank-hanger detached from the position shown in Fig. 1 and attached tothe head, as explained above. The frame is then turned bottom side up tothe position shown in Fig. 2, when the front fork 9 is replaced in thefront head 3 and the handle-bars are attached, when the bicycleframe hasthe proper shape for a ladys frame. In this position of the parts thefront fork eX- tends in an opposite direction from the head 3 from whatit does when the frame is used as a gentlemans frame.

Various modiiications may be made in the device without departing fromthe spirit of my invention.

IOO

IIO

Having fullydescribed my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire tOsecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a bicycle, a frame having a reversible front head adapted toreceive the front fork from either direction, said frame having two rearforks, and a detachable crank-hanger adapted to be attached to eitherfork, whereby the bicycle may be converted into either a gentlemans orladys bicycle.

2. In a bicycle, a frame having a reversible front head adapted toreceive the front fork from either direction, a central post and tworear forks adapted to support the rear wheel, means to attach the seatat eitherend of said central post, and a detachable crankhanger adaptedto be secured to either rear fork, whereby the bicycle may be convertedinto either a gentlemans Or ladys bicycle at will.

In a bicycle, a frame with a reversible front head, whereby the fork maybe inserted into the head from either direction, a post substantiallyparallel to the head, means tO attach a seat at either end of said post,a top brace connecting the post and the head, and upper and lower rearforks connected to the post at opposite ends thereof, said forkssupporting the rear wheel, and a detachable crank-hanger adapted to beattached to either rear fork,whereby the bicycle may be changed from agentlemans to a ladys bicycle.

4. Ina bicycle, aframe havinga front head, a front fork carrying a frontwheel supported therein for turning movement, a rear head, and a rearfork having curved ends detachably supported in said rear head, and heldtherein against turning movement, said rear fork having a rear wheelsecured therein.

5. In a bicycle, a frame havinga front head, a front fork securedtherein for turning movement, a rear head, a rear fork detachablysecured therein, said rear fork supporting the rear wheel and having itslower ends curved, each of said forks having the same inclination to avertical line, and means to hold said rear fork from turning in the rearhead.

6. In a bicycle, a frame having a reversible front head adapted toreceive the front fork from either direction, said frame having two rearforks, one of which is rigid with the frame, and the other detachabletherefrom, and a detachable crank-hanger adapted t0 be attached toeither fork, whereby the bicycle may be converted into either agentlemans or a ladys bicycle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name tO this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

LAZARUS S. KALLAJIAN.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. GREGORY, LOUIS C. SMITH.

